Game Angling: Bishop Auckland club hold agm

11:20, 28 Nov 2013

Updated 11:21, 28 Nov 2013

ByThe Journal

The latest game angling news from around the region including news on the annual meeting of Bishop Auckland and District Angling

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The annual general meeting of Bishop Auckland and District Angling was held recently and the fees for next season have been set at £175 for adults, a concessionary rate of £110 and juniors will pay £25.

Catch returns show that more than 80% of fish were returned this season, with members agreeing a voluntary code of conduct for fish conservation for the new season.

Measure include the safe return of all sea trout over 10lb, brown trout and grayling, spinning will only be allowed if the water is more than 18 inches above normal level, no spinners heavier than 20 grams are to be used at any time during the season and, during October, all migratory hen fish are to be returned.

The club hopes that as many anglers as possible will adhere to the code.

John Ord was presented with cups for largest salmon on fly and largest sea trout caught and returned on fly - a 10lb fish.

The club’s Egglestone stretch on the River Tees fished well during October, with good salmon, including several in the upper teens, brought to the net.

Local angler John Mattinson had an excellent season with 18 salmon, 15 of which were returned. Members have reported that the Mickleton stretch has fish exceptionally well for trout and grayling with catches of 10 fish and upwards on visits.

On the Wear, October saw a very good end to the season with regular rises in water levels seeing salmon entering the river and perfect fishing conditions.

The top club beats have been the fly-only Nature Reserve section and the Witton Park to Escomb stretch, with anglers picking up salmon on most days with some reporting four to six fish on the better days.

There have been some better than average salmon caught this season. the most notable being John Ord ‘s 23lb 8oz fish which won the cup for the largest salmon on fly, John Walker had salmon of 21lb and 18lb, Garry Robinson had a 21lb fish, George Oliver landed one of 17lb 8oz and membership secretary Keith Robson, member secretary recorded a 16lb fish.

The club will be running a fly dressing course over the winter at King James Community College, application forms and further information can be obtained by contacting Cliff Johnson on 01388 605340.

Malcolm Robinson from Bedlington landed the fish of the week at Chatton Lakes – a 14lb rainbow from Chatton Lake.

The colder weather has seen a drop in anglers at Witton Castle Lakes this week, but those venturing out have had excellent sport with a 3.2 fish average.

Despite the cold weather fish are continuing to feed on hatching buzzers and small emerger and dry patterns have done well. Best bags have included junior E Taylor with 10, including an 8lb rainbow, J Brown had 10, including a 4lb “goldie”, which was stocked last season and was in superb condition, and D Spence had six.

Although sport was slow at Naworth, two catches stood out from the rest. M Proudfoot found where the big fish were and landed rainbows of 22lb, 18lb, 14lb and 12lb to fly and P Mcneill landed 11 to 14lb on fly.

It was another good week’s fishing at Jubilee Lakes, where the best trout this week went to Norman Fox from Willington who took an 11lb 8oz rainbow. George Bramfitt from Esh Winning had one of 6lb.

The fishery will be open as normal throughout the Christmas holidays. Northumbrian Water fisheries close for the season on Saturday.

It was a quiet week at Derwent Reservoir with cold, calm and frosty mornings allowing some enjoyable late season sport as the season draws to a close. Clive Robson landed the week’s best fish - a 3lb 4oz rainbow.

Sid Barnes found shoaling fish in front of the Dam Wall at Fontburn, L Greenslade and T Exton managed a brace each, and C R Ward signed out the fish of the week with a 3lb rainbow.

At Sharpley Springs, Willie Emery from Newbiggin returned fish of 15lb and 12lb, John Shema from Ryhope netted 10 to 10lb 10oz, Dave Cardwell from Darlington netted eight to 11lb 5oz and Ed Dunbar from Washington returned a 10-pounder.